Emilia Clarke: Fictional inspiration that goes beyond the screen
Full post can also be found here (x)
Recently, actress Emily Clarke (Daenerys, in Game of Thrones) revealed that she suffered two brain aneurysms during her 10 years in the series, one after the first season and another one just after the third, this one almost taking her life. Clarke has launched a charity (https://www.sameyou.org/) to bring recognition to brain diseases and help people who do not have financial status for the necessary treatment.
With the actress’s revelation and strength she demonstrated at this difficult time of her life, her charity was not only welcomed with open arms around the world but also called attention to the recognition of this condition.
After the first surgery Clarke could not even say her own name and even asked the doctors to let her die, because she did not want to be a burden to her family. The actress returned to work only six weeks after the first incident, using morphine between interviews to deal with the pain, but unfortunately suffered another aneurysm two years later. People who suffer from an aneurysm usually lose some ability and she was afraid that this loss would be her ability to act.
Clarke has already given several interviews on the subject and revealed that her character saved her life, not only literally, since while she was feeling ill during her first aneurysm she tried to remember words in dothraki to keep her brain active but also in her professional life, saying that playing a character like Daenerys showed her how strong she could be. “You go to the set, play a badass and walk under the fire. That became the thing that saved me from considering my own mortality.” (x) The actress was thrilled in a recent video posted by HBO saying:
“This show, Game of Thrones, has set me free. It’s literally given me my freedom. As a human being, and as an actor and as a woman, I’ve been able to play this incredibly strong woman when I could have very easily never thought of the places that I had to go to with her. The strength that I had to find to play her, and then seeing that I had that strength in myself, and that’s a really big deal.” (x)
Emilia’s courage in exposing something so personal about herself was a representation that in addition to having overcome her condition, she put those in need of help and that felt alone in focus. She is a person who really cares, does not want to profit from a personal story in the tabloids let alone draw more attention to herself. Emilia is a warrior and a heroine, as well as Daenerys.
Inspiration can save lives. Watch your favorite character or your favorite actress going through something difficult and inspiring you to be strong too and saying that things will get better, there is nothing like that. We all need something to move us forward and we should appreciate actors who open up about this kind of experience, not only because it is difficult to talk about certain issues, but also because they are in the spotlight so they are even more judged by talking about something so personal. I personally have been inspired by actors and characters for a long time. Sometimes they are all I have when things are tough so I understand how this can impact someone’s life and I appreciate all the people who are in the spotlight who open up and care to show that we are not alone.
Dreams sometimes are all we have. Hope that life will get better. Just knowing that someone you admire was strong, that gives you strength to go through your own battles. I feel inspired every day, both by characters and actors. I have characters that help me getting out of bed in the morning, I felt confident to wear a certain piece of clothing because an actress talked about how a woman should feel good and happy wearing whatever she wants, I have remembered scenes in which a character has imposed herself, giving me strength to give my own opinion. Emilia has helped me in many moments, with her humor and her loving and cheerful way, and Daenerys too, when I needed to be more confident.
If you’ve been inspired please share your story, on your Tumblr, Twitter or in a blog, this can help someone. And if you are going through something difficult, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorder, family or psychological problems, know that there is no shame in seeking help in something or someone so far away from you. You are not alone and you will never be.
